Inspections begin today across schools in Dubai

Sixty nine schools will be inspected during the first block of Inspections which run between October and December 2008.

The Bureau's aim is to ensure that all schools are inspected within the 08-09 academic year.

The Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB), a bureau of the Knowledge & Human Development Authority, (KHDA) have through consultation of various stakeholders and pilot inspections tested the framework of inspection and Quality Indicators that is now being used during the Initial Quality Inspections.

This is only the beginning of the Bureau's work in supporting school improvement and ensuring a quality education for all students in Dubai.

The Bureau would have distributed and analysed 20 000 parent questionnaires and 1500 teacher questionnaires as part of the evidence gathering during the first block of inspections.

The inspection teams will use a range of evidence to review the work of each school.

As well as observations in classes, interviews with students and staff, examination results and parent questionnaires, the inspectors will consider other self evaluation evidence provided by the school.

Jameela Al Muhairi, Chief of DSIB, said:

"Accurate and rigorous self evaluation is an essential feature of an effective school. Where schools can demonstrate that they accurately know their own strengths and weaknesses and have the capacity to improve, then the need for immediate re-inspection or subsequent focused support, will be reduced. To support schools, the Bureau will offer workshops on self evaluation based on international best practice. The Schools Agency will offer training on self evaluation for all public schools. We are very excited and pleased that this day has come where we begin the actual inspections in Dubai and continue toward the goal of developing a high-calibre local workforce and give parents useful and reliable information about school quality which will assist informed school choices."

A full inspection report will be shared with each school six weeks after inspection by the Bureau with the intention that the school set their action and improvement plan.